Bios

Daniel Chappell, President, Bass Section Leader

Despite majoring in Computing Science at Simon Fraser University, Daniel has continued to pursue his love of music. First taking lessons at age 6, Daniel has studied many different instruments, such as piano, saxophone, guitar, and bass, and has played in garage bands, school bands, and recitals. He first discovered his voice in his high school band, where he contributed lead vocals to their year end-concert. Since discovering the SFU Choir in spring 2009, Daniel has provided his voice and support, eventually becoming bass section leader and president. He is passionate about working with his fellow choristers to help the Choir expand and flourish.

Micah Brush, Vice-President, Tenor Section Leader

Hey everyone! My name is Micah Brush and I’m a student at SFU going into second year, planning to major in Chemical Physics. Originally I never wanted to join a choir, but in grade 10 I was playing in my high school’s concert band and I was forced to sing in a few concerts and really enjoyed it. I joined the following year and in grade 12 I was having so much fun that I quit band but kept singing in our choir. I suppose it never hurts to try new things! Before university I had played piano for 11 years, and I knew I was going to be missing music when I was away at school. Choir turned out to be a great way for me to keep going with music, but I’m sure even if I did have a piano I’d still be a part of it.

Carlianne Dorman, Treasurer

Carlianne joined the choir in Fall 2010 because of her love of performing and music. Her love started at the age of 2 when she entered her first of many dance classes, and broadened when she joined choir in elementary school. She continued with choir and dance when she started band in her high school. When she entered university for biology she found the choir and has been able to maintain her love of music.

Jenna Foster, Librarian, Social Co-ordinator

Hello, my name is Jenna Foster and I'm in my second year of studying Chemistry at SFU. I've been singing for the past five years throughout high school and in this past year with the SFU Choir. I also took singing lessons for three of my high school years. Currently, I am a 1st soprano in the choir but I have sung in choirs also as a 1st alto and 2nd soprano. I love singing all different styles of music at any time of the day! At first, choir started out as an elective for me in middle school but then as high school began, it became a passion of mine to which has carried over into university. I've done auditions in the past for honour choirs which have been exciting, but the aspect I love most about choir is the atmosphere of the group while singing.

Kristen Soo, Concert Manager, Alto Section Leader

Kristen Soo is a Master’s student in chemistry at SFU, and has been involved in the SFU Choir since September 2010. Her previous choir experience includes 3 years in a children’s church choir, 4 years in elementary school choir and 2 years in high school choir – and she is proud to say that all those years were spent singing alto!

When she’s not busy running science experiments or planning the next choir concert, she is probably reading a novel, playing the piano or guitar, coordinating events for her church, hanging out with friends or keeping up with the latest in world news and Canadian politics.

Tabitha Alexander, Soprano Section Leader

Tabitha joined the SFU choir in the Fall 2010 semester in search of a place to improve her singing, make friends, and have some fun. Tabitha is a second year student at SFU completing a double major in Dance and Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology. She has a passion for performing and thus has been involved with various school choirs and musical theatre productions. This love for music and dance, starting from a very young age, propelled Tabitha to complete her RCM Grade 8 Piano and be a member of a youth dance company in high school which competed in a variety of dance genres including Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. She also enjoys fiddling around on the guitar and breaking out into song and dance at every possible moment.

Melissa Ratcliff, Conductor

Melissa studied flute performance at the University of Alberta, but singing was always a secret passion. She sang with the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus under Bob De Frece and Edmonton Youth Choir under Scott Leithead in Edmonton. She sang with the SFU Choir for several years under Jon Thompson and then joined the Vancouver Bach Choir where she still sings today. Melissa has been conducting the SFU Choir since 2007 and enjoys sharing her passion for music (and odd taste and anecdotes) with the choristers.

Tian Ip, Accompanist

Tian joined the SFU Choir in the Fall of 2009, and has since consistently provided the group with expert piano playing and audio expertise. Tian began receiving classical piano training at the age of four, and has garnered a performance diploma from the UK’s Associated Board of Royal School of Music at the age of 16. A prolific musician, Tian is also an able player of the Chinese Harp, trombone, keyboard synthesizer and electronic music. Recently, Tian has completed her studies in the Professional Recording Arts program at the Art Institute of Vancouver. In addition to working with the choir, Tian currently also does freelancing as a film composer, and gives private piano lessons.